The girls' locker room at Nami-chu was filled with excitement. The first-years eagerly changed from their class uniforms to their gym clothes, a white t-shirt and red bloomers. I changed as quickly as I could, not feeling the need to stand around in my bra longer than necessary (unlike some girls… jeez).

"Yosh! Time to play some volleyball!" a competitive girl in my class exclaimed.

I hadn't heard about the game until yesterday, but apparently it'd been planned for weeks. Every year, the first-year classes played against each other in a healthy, competitive volleyball game. The boys had gotten out of class last week to play, and now it was the girls' turn. Oh joy.

I really liked volleyball, don't get me wrong; I used to play with my sister all the time as a way to create our fitness training more enjoyable.

Since I was little, I've had a pretty strict schedule. My mother said that successful people never rested. I still have violin and piano lessons (thankfully years of practicing everyday helped me with that, since at first I couldn't keep a beat to save my life). Gymnastics, school, fencing, chess lessons, and cram-school were also factors. Fortunately Mom said I could quit cram school to spend time with Tsuna (when we got to that stage).

The only reason I wasn't very ecstatic about playing volleyball was the notion of a team; people who got in my way. I had a feeling soft teenage girls were unreliable when it came to setting, spiking, and bumping. None of them had my sister either, whose competitive intensity frightened me sometimes. The two of us played sand volleyball in our back yard (our old mansion was on the beach). It was one-on-one, so I've never played on a team before.

Sasagawa Kyoko was the only notable member of my team, as was Kurokawa Hana (who was fairly powerful). Kyoko wasn't very sporty, and I doubted she would get to play much, but recently I've been keeping an eye on her. After all, Tsuna had a ginormous crush on her. I'd heard him mention her often at lunch, so the conclusion was an easy one to come by.

When my team voted Asahi Haruhi (an actual member of the volleyball club) as their captain, she was asked to pick the six starting players. I was chosen to play, and then chosen again to serve first. Asahi said I had good form during warm-ups. She claimed she didn't want to do it herself because she played strictly front row.

The two teams shook hands and took their places on the court. I stepped to the back of the court and the line-judge handed me the ball, so I practiced slamming it against the floor a couple times before catching it and holding it out in front of my chest.

"Good luck, everyone!" Kyoko cheered. Several guys swooned (Tsuna included).

"Yeah, let's beat class 1-C!" A spectating boy with glasses joined.

"Take them down!" Said another.

"You got this, Itagaki!"

I glanced at the crowd, wondering who had the nerve to drop the suffix from my name. I saw Yamamoto grinning and waving, so I sighed and let him off the hook. He was Tsuna's friend, so he could call me whatever he wanted, I guess. At Yamamoto's left was Tsuna himself, longing eyes fixed on Sasagawa Kyoko. Gokudera slouched on their right, he usual scowl capturing a few hearts.

The referee (the teacher for class 1-B) blew her whistle and signaled the start of the game. The ball was tossed from my hand, and I swung my arm. The sound the ball made resounded throughout my body, leaving a satisfying sting. The ball flew over the net.
The girl playing left back was not on the volleyball team, so at least she had an excuse for letting the ball drop at her feet. My team cheered, as did the rest of the class.
I scowled; this would be so easy that it wouldn't be any fun. I sighed and prepared to serve again. It was another ace.

(Tsuna's POV)

Tsuna shivered at the powerful swing that Itagaki Ritsuko dealt the volleyball. He was sure she would pop it. It wasn't that he was shocked she was so athletic, since he'd heard someone mention she was on an Olympic-level gymnastics team, but seeing the pristine and proper girl in a dress he'd spoken to only a few days ago completely over-power the other team, as well as her own teammates... It was almost comical.

Her curly black hair swished in its ponytail as she dove for the ball and dug it high into the air. That had been the very first ball the other team was able to get over the net. The score was 12-0, with eleven ace serves. The ball Ritsuko saved was easily set up by a class 1-A girl and Kurokawa Hana spiked the ball.

The ball came back over and Asahi Haruhi set up a back row hit (something which the non-volleyball players didn't know was legal). Ritsuko jumped up and hit it from behind the ten-foot line. It landed in the back corner if the other court, earning another point.

Tsuna heard many of the boys around him on the sidelines whoop and cheer, sighing and praising her despite how terrifying her scowl was. They just thought she was cool. The remaining boys (who didn't have a crush on Kyoko-chan) had started an Itagaki fan-club. Tsuna wondered if Itagaki noticed her fan boys, or if she was as oblivious as Kyoko. Or Gokudera…Or Yamamoto…..Why did all have his friends have fan clubs!?

The other team managed to spike the ball in a spot that Itagaki could not reach in time, as least not without running over her teammate, which Tsuna was sure she wouldn't have a problem doing. Itagaki glared fiercely at her teammate, who backed away timidly. Fortunately, her expression returned to the one of apathy.

Tsuna squeaked as he remembered the glares she sent him most every day in class. Why did she have to hate him so much? Wait, didn't she hate him? Why had she helped him with his homework, then?

When Reborn had first suggested giving her a call, Tsuna had flat out screamed his disagreement. Invite the scary, distant, condescending rich girl, who glared at him during class, to the place he lived? Not while he could help it. But the baby had kicked him in the head until he finally caved, tears streaming down his cheeks. Imagine his surprise when Itagaki actually said she would help and came to his house. Her demeanor had been different than usual, and Tsuna found her a little less scary. A little.

"Ha-ha," Yamamoto laughed as Ritsuko received a serve. "Who knew Itagaki was so good at volleyball! You think she could beat you, Tsuna?" Tsuna sweat-dropped at the baseball-fanatics suggestions. Of course, he was referring to the volleyball game in which he played in his Dying-will. Reborn had been the one to thank for that.

"Heh," Gokudera scoffed. "Juudaime is twice as good as that low-life!"
Tsuna shivered at the thought of Itagaki hearing that.

The first game ended with a score of 25-3. Tsuna sighed with content and happiness when he saw Kyoko line up for the next game, since she hadn't played at all last time. She was so cute in her gym uniform. The only two who played again was Itagaki and Asahi Haruhi, unsurprisingly. After all, if class 1-A won again, they'd be the champions.

(Reborn's POV) sort of

"Impressive strength, speed, agility... Not to mention her ties to the mafia," a high squeaky voice listed off. Reborn smirked in his hiding spot, which was in the drinking fountain near the gym floor, away and out of ear-shot from the entirety of the sidelines. "I think you've found another member of your family, Dame-Tsuna." Black eyes gleamed deviously on a stoic face as the baby watched the black haired D' Angelo easily score another point. Of course, the matter that she was already a part of another family…

That had been previously taken care of.

(Ritsuko's POV)

After the game, several girls approached me and praised my skill, Kyoko included. Her shadowing friend, Kurokawa Hana, seemed like she couldn't care less. I liked her. Since it was the end of school, I gathered my thing for Hideaki.

Gymnastics had gone much too quickly, as usual. What was unusual was the unfortunate accident that had taken place: My team captain, Kawagishi Kimiko, had been attempting to complete a Yurchenko vault. I've seen her do it before, so it was a surprise to suddenly hear her cry out and collapse. She had broken her ankle on the landing. The gymnasium was completely hectic after that. The vice-captain, Deguchi Erika, had mistakenly told me that I would take the vice-captain spot while she moved up to the captain spot. I say mistakenly because I was both fairly new (Hideaki Academy was my third school in four years) and not exactly a team player.

"I won't be well-liked," I warned her. "I couldn't give a damn whether or not I'm considered nice."

"Well, that could be a good thing. Everyone needs a critical judge," Erika said. I eyed her, but concluded that she was saying that in earnest. "Please, just think about it," she begged.

"Alright…" I accepted hesitantly.

After I had finished showering and changing back into my street clothes, I brushed through my hair to get the tangles out. It was still wet, so I didn't bother trying to put it up in a ponytail again. I slipped on my street clothes; a lacey purple shirt, white pants, and sandals. In no time at all, I was handing my things to Carmine and he was shoving stuff through the door and helping me in. He drove for about twenty minutes when we arrived in Namimori. That was when I saw Carmine had taken a wrong turn; the apartment was in the business side. I rolled down the divider and tapped the back of his seat.

"Carmine, are you going senile?" I pointed to my left. "The apartment's down that last street."

"Sorry, Miss, but I was given specific orders," he informed me. My brow furrowed in confusion.

"What? Orders?"

"Yes, Miss. I was to drop you off at town square."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Who ordered you to do that?" I interrogated. The limo slowly rolled to a stop in an alley way. Shops littered both sides of the streets. Busy shoppers strolled past with newly purchased items. Only a few noticed us, but they were awestruck. Not many limos drove around in Namimori. Carmine finally turned to face me, now that we had stopped.

"Perhaps I am going senile, Miss…" He trailed off, his rather loud breathing reminding me of my late grandfather. I rolled my eyes.

"Who told you to take me to town square?" I emphasized, growing irate. Carmine scratched his head sheepishly.

"It was a baby, Miss."

I didn't know what to do; did Reborn want me to stay put at the café I was currently at? Or did he want me to search for him? I sipped my cappuccino nervously, my demeanor doing a complete 180. I noticed how I did that whenever Reborn was present. Was I that willing to swallow my pride and butt-kiss? There were many people who'd done that same for me, simply for who my father was. Sometimes they could be annoying, true, but did I really know how to interact with any other kind of person? I began to feel embarrassed and wished I could go home, but Carmine had driven off without me (at my persistence, since I'd assumed I'd be visited by Reborn soon afterwards).

Impatiently, I stood. I guess I was going to go search for Reborn. I placed my payment and my tip on the table and left. The clear glass door closed behind me. I glanced left and right, unsure of where I was. I made sure to memorize the Café and its location so that I had a reference point, and then I took a right at random. I felt like I was swimming upstream through the crowds since they were so thick, but I managed not to run into anyone. Namimori wasn't a very big town, but it could be very busy at rush hour. I kept my eyes out for a tiny baby in a tuxedo and fedora; not that I would be able to find him if he didn't want me to.

I was preoccupied on searching down low when I ran into a wall. I felt a cry of surprise escape my lips as I fell to the ground, the wind knocked out of me. I landed painfully on my butt. It took me several seconds of confusion to realize what had happened; I had not run into a wall, thank goodness. A bulky figure clad in black dashed through the bystanders like there was no tomorrow. A couple of bags were dropped and a couple annoyed shouts were released, but the man disappeared from sight before anyone could stop him.

I rose to my feet, rubbing my bottom. That really hurt.

"Asshole," I spat, trying my best to straighten my back. People were already looking at me and it was very unwelcomed. I thought I could save some of my pride if I hurried away (while appearing calm) and crossed the street. I actually ended up losing the rest of it.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion. First, my balance tipped, and my up was mixed with my down.

'Here we go again,' I thought, hitting the pavement face-first. I managed to keep my chin from taking a blow, but my arms were scraped from the gravel and they hurt my chest. Painfully (again), I glanced at my foot. The ankle strap on one of my sandals had snapped, but the foot strap was intact and clung to my heel. I heard people shout again, this time in alarm. Then I heard the engine. My head snapped up, my eyes wide as I saw the car headed my way. It was an inexpensive 'soccer-mom' van, but it was big and heavy. I swore I saw my reflection in the front bumper, or whatever that thing was. My vision blurred; the car was barely moving and all the sounds bombarding me earlier became muted. I couldn't move. The car wasn't stopping.

Shit.

"REBORN! I'M GOING TO SAVE ITAGAKI RITSUKO WITH MY DYING WILL!"

The words broke through the time and sound barrier that had taken hold of me. The car resumed normal speed – way too fast. Terror filled me and my throat clenched, preparing for a scream. I was going to die.

But then I was suddenly as light as a feather, rising up. Something warm pressed underneath me, and I was no longer on all fours. I glanced up at my savior, this time screaming for real.

"Tsuna!" I exclaimed, panic and confusion coursing through me. But he wasn't Tsuna, was he? His eyes were too fierce and his face was too brave. On top of that, he seemed to be continuously shouting something.

The next thing I knew, Tsuna had leapt onto the sidewalk, and the car drove by harmlessly, still honking and swerving. It got back into control and sped off. I was left shaking uncontrollably. And then I looked down. My face turned beat red.

The unfamiliar intensity left Tsuna's expression and now he seemed as shaken as I was.

"Are you alright, Itagaki-san?" He gushed, horror written on his face. I nodded and avoided his eyes, my cheeks still hot.

"Tsuna…" I hesitated. People were staring and murmuring. I had, after all, nearly been struck by a car, and then rescued by a middle-schooler. Well, that, and…

"Yeah?" He questioned curiously.

"Why are you naked?"

I played with the end of my straw absent-mindedly. The fact that I had nearly died hadn't sunk in yet, and I felt like I as dreaming. Tsuna sat across the table from my, fully dressed, sipping his juice that he had bought for us. I had weakly offered to pay him back but he had refused, saying I had a rough day. I didn't know whether I was annoyed at him for thinking of me as weak, or grateful that he understood I wasn't very chipper at the moment.

"Listen, Itagaki-san…" Tsuna avoided my gaze nervously, fidgeting with his hands. He was scared of me, I could tell. That made me feel kind of guilty and uncomfortable. Normally, I would be used to fear, but… this was Tsuna, and I had to be his friend. Father said so. Plus… the kid had just saved my life, hadn't he?

"You can just call me Ritsuko…" I blurted. Hey, I had to get him to warm up to me. He jumped up in surprise, his mouth wide open.

"R-really?" He gasped. "You of all people?" I frowned. Did I truly seem so distant to him? Maybe I shouldn't have stared at the back of his head throughout our classes that day… or every other day. I stuck my chin up.

"Well, I do kind of… owe you," I admitted. Tsuna's face lit up. I guess he didn't think I was too scary anymore.

"Alright!" He smiled shyly.

I'm not sure why, but my heart kind of sped up.

Huh. Guess I was still upset about the 'almost accident'.

Wow. This was really late! Sorry about that, but you know; tests. Ugh.

In this chapter, a certain issue is introduced, not that it's very obvious. Tsuna was shot into Dying Will Mode in order to save his classmate, thanks to Reborn, who was working behind the scenes.

And Ritsuko's goal was to get him to warm up to her, but is she accidently warming up to Tsuna herself?

Yes, I'd planned her little crush, which will probably grow a tiny bit, but I still haven't decided the pairing yet.

Anyway, I've come across several different translations, so sorry if "Dying Will" isn't what you're use to. Oh, and the line breaks are short time skips or point of view changers, if you haven't figured that out.

PLEASE REVIEW!

It's late, and I'm tired… see you next time!